The present invention relates to emitting compounds for organic electroluminescent device, particularly to phenyl pyridine-iridium metal complex compounds represented by the following formula (1): ##STR00001## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.8, A.sub.1 to A.sub.3, and Py are as defined in the specification. In addition, the present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device comprising the above material which has high luminescence efficiency, enhanced operating life time, and high purity of red chromaticity.